🇧🇫Burkina FasoWest Africa
Burkina Faso: Ministry and public institution directors enhance artificial intelligence skills
via Lefaso.net2 min read
Directors of ministries and public institutions in Burkina Faso are undergoing a one-day training session on the use of artificial intelligence. The Minister in charge of Digital Transition, Dr. Aminata Sabané, launched the session on April 16, 2026, in Ouagadougou. The training aims to strengthen their capabilities and integrate AI tools effectively into administrative management. Dr. Sabané emphasized that the ministry seeks to remain at the forefront of technological revolution and equip administrative officials with practical skills for better AI utilization in their roles. This session is the first in a series of trainings planned for public administration agents, including technical advisors and mission officers. The initiative intends to introduce AI tools, improve content production, and modernize public service work methods, aligning with the authorities' goal of using digital technology to modernize administration. The Minister Director of Cabinet of the Presidency of Faso, Captain Anderson Dékomwin Médah, praised the initiative, noting it addresses a need expressed by stakeholders to enhance their capacities. Dr. Yaya Traoré, permanent secretary for innovation and monitoring of emerging digital technologies at the Ministry of Digital Transition, is among the trainers. He stated the training covers understanding AI, its opportunities, risks, and challenges to ensure its relevant use in public administration. He also mentioned that promoting artificial intelligence i
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Must ReadMahamoud Ali Youssouf, President of the African Union Commission, is on his first visit to Burkina Faso since taking office. He was welcomed at Ouagadougou International Airport by Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabe Abroad, and Elysée Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso's Ambassador to the African Union. Youssouf stated that the visit demonstrates the pan-African organization's commitment to consolidating solidarity among member states to address common continental challenges. He emphasized Burkina Faso's important role as a founding member of the Organization of African Unity. During his stay, the President of the AU Commission will meet with Burkina Faso's highest authorities to discuss peace and security, regional integration, and strengthening relations between the AU and Burkina Faso. This visit is part of a tour of the Alliance of Sahel States AES, following a stop in Bamako, Mali, on July 14, 2026. The African Union aims to foster more sustained dialogue with AES countries amid efforts to find new dynamics for cooperation and consultation on major continental issues.
Riverstone Karma SA, owner and operator of the Karma open-pit gold mine in Burkina Faso, has secured the annulment of a contract with Franco-Nevada and Sandstorm Gold Ltd. The dispute arose from a complex contractual arrangement inherited by Néré Mining SA when it acquired the Karma mine in March 2022. The original contract, signed in 2014 by previous owners True Gold and Endeavour Mining, imposed obligations on the Karma mine, including a minimum duration of 40 years, automatic 15-year renewals, and the sale of gold at discounted prices. This agreement, initially for a $100 million construction financing, continued to be effective despite the financing reportedly being fully repaid by 2021. Riverstone Karma SA stated it never directly signed the contract but was bound by its terms after the acquisition. The company argued the contract was unbalanced, limiting its investment and development capabilities, and negatively impacted Burkina Faso's public finances by reducing the tax base and potential dividends for the state. The transit of financial operations through companies in tax-advantaged jurisdictions, such as Barbados, also raised concerns about compliance with regulations in Burkina Faso and the UEMOA space. The Ouagadougou Commercial Court's decision to annul the contract is seen as a significant precedent for the West African mining sector, affirming national courts' ability to rule on contracts involving international companies when national economic interests are at
The Koko Dunda fabric, once associated with poverty and low status in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, has undergone a significant transformation, becoming a symbol of national pride and a driver of economic and cultural development. A study by Father Basile Paré at the Catholic University of West Africa in Bobo-Dioulasso highlights this metamorphosis, detailing how the fabric, traditionally produced in the Tounouma district, has revitalized artisanal trades, created economic opportunities, and strengthened Burkinabè cultural identity. Historically, the Koko Dunda was inexpensive and worn by the most modest households, earning it the Dioula nickname "Tié ti barala," meaning "my husband does not work." However, less than a decade later, it is now worn by ministers, artists, entrepreneurs, and students, featured in official ceremonies, weddings, and national celebrations. Its resurgence began around 2016, largely attributed to Burkinabè stylist Sébastien Bazémo, whose contemporary designs elevated the fabric's image. In 2021, the Burkinabè state officially labeled Koko Dunda as national heritage, further boosting its recognition. Father Paré's qualitative study involved interviews with sixteen stakeholders in the Koko Dunda sector, including dyers, tailors, and vendors in Tounouma. The research revealed that artisans have become more creative, innovating with colors and patterns to meet diverse customer demands. The focus on quality has intensified, with over two hundred registere